Brief Life History of Sarah
When Sarah Woodruff was born on 10 September 1730, in Southington, Hartford, Connecticut, United States, her father, John Woodruff, was 22 and her mother, Eunice Ward, was 19. She married Joseph Gridley on 3 July 1763, in Southington, Hartford, Connecticut Colony, British Colonial America. They were the parents of at least 6 sons and 2 daughters. She died on 7 January 1805, in her hometown, at the age of 74, and was buried in Southington, Hartford, Connecticut, United States.
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Family Time Line
Sources (8)
- Sarah Woodruff, "Connecticut, Births and Christenings, 1649-1906"
- Sarah Gridley, "Connecticut Deaths and Burials, 1772-1934"
- Sarah Woodruff, "Connecticut, Vital Records, Prior to 1850"
Spouse and Children
Children (8)
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Siblings (11)
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World Events (4)
1776
Thomas Jefferson's American Declaration of Independence endorsed by Congress. Colonies declare independence.
1781 · British Forces Capture Fort Griswold
The capture of Fort Griswold was the final act of treason that Benedict Arnold committed. This would be a British victory. On the American side 85 were killed, 35 wounded and paroled, 28 taken prisoner, 13 escaped, and 1 twelve year old was captured and released.
1788 · The First Presidential Election
The First Presidential election was held in the newly created United States of America. Under the Articles of Confederation, the executive branch of the country was not set up for an individual to help lead the nation. So, under the United States Constitution they position was put in. Because of his prominent roles during the Revolutionary War, George Washington was voted in unanimously as the First President of the United States.
Name Meaning
English: from Middle English woderove ‘woodruff, sweet woodruff’ (Old English wudurofe), a sweet-scented plant. The leaves of the plant have a sweet smell and the surname may also have been a nickname for one who used it as a perfume, or perhaps an ironical nickname for a malodorous person. Alternatively, perhaps a topographic name for someone who lived at or near a place where woodruff grew. There may have been some confusion with Woodrow .
History: Two English families brought the name Woodruff to the American colonies: those of Matthew Woodruff and of John and Ann Woodruffe. The latter migrated to Lynn, MA, from Kent, and moved to Southampton, Long Island, NY, before 1640. John and Ann's many descendants were established in NJ, NC, and SC by 1790. The city of Woodruff, SC, is named for this family. The name is variously spelled Woodrove, Woodroffe, Woodruffe, Woodrough, and Woodruff in colonial records.
Dictionary of American Family Names © Patrick Hanks 2003, 2006.
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